For complete being

From artificial eyes and noses, this time round, ears made of silicone materials are being artistically fitted to resemble natural body parts in colour and texture to patients at the M.

The latest technology of silicone being used to make artificial facial parts proves a boon for those who feel the psychological handicap

From artificial eyes and noses, this time round, ears made of silicone materials are being artistically fitted to resemble natural body parts in colour and texture to patients at the M A Rangoonwala College of Dental Sciences. Maxillofacial prosthetist Mark Townend from UK is conducting the course, taking hands-on demonstration as well as treating cases of complicated ear defects in this module.

The agenda of this current four-day workshop is to impart training to specialists at the college in making artificial eyes, noses and ears, says Dr Mohit Kheur from the department of prosthodontics at the college. These artificial prostheses are made of special silicone materials that can be artistically pigmented to resemble natural body parts in colour, texture and feel.

The college that has taken the initiative to set up the Rangoonwala Centre for Maxillofacial Rehabilitation caters to the treatment of patients with missing body parts such as ears, eyes, nose, fingers with prosthetic/artificial substitutes. Maxillofacial prosthetics is a science that deals with providing an artificial substitute for such facial parts, which may be missing from birth or following an accident or some surgery.

A unique feature of the programme is the fixed replacement of missing ears or eyes of patients, using implants.

Two patients have had implants placed in their skull bone and these will be used to retain artificial ears over them.

Such implants are very different from dental implants, which are also extensively used in the institute for replacing teeth. The implants being used for the patients have been imported from South Africa. The ears are to be made from medical-grade life like materials, which are silicone-based.

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These have been sourced from the UK. The treatment for the patients is being carried out free of cost.

Maxillofacial prosthetics is a science that deals with providing an artificial substitutes for facial parts that may be missing from birth or following an accident or some surgery.

Being the driving force behind the latest technology, the college, especially the department of prosthodontics, already has the necessary state-of-the-art infrastructure and access to the best materials to carry out such treatments for the patients.

The institute has identified the need for treating such patients, keeping in mind the high incidences of cancer, accidents and birth defects in the country. Patients with facial defects have a functional as well as psychological handicap and the centre8217;s main role is to rehabilitate them and bring them back to the mainstream of the society.

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Besides being a pioneer centre for such specialised patient care, the institute has taken a step further to start a comprehensive course for training health professionals in this field. This is also, the first training course of its kind in the country. This course is being conducted at the M A Rangoonwala Dental College with the support of the Institute of Maxillofacial Prosthetists and Technologists, IMPT, UK.

18 specialists, super specialists Prosthodontists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, post graduate students, dental technicians from across the country are attending it.